The Laney High School community came together on a recent evening to remember Otis Smart, the beloved basketball coach who passed away on July 11 after a 40‑year career that made him one of Georgia’s longest‑tenured high school coaches.
A tribute in color
Current and former players released white balloons, while faculty, staff and retirees brought red balloons. Alumni and community supporters held black balloons, and current students and parents let loose silver balloons that floated into the night sky.
Principal Marvin Washington took the podium, describing Smart as a father figure who looked after his players on and off the court, often driving them home and making sure they had meals.
As the balloons rose, the crowd reflected on Smart’s impact, noting that his influence extended far beyond basketball, shaping lives and fostering a sense of belonging that persists in the school’s culture.